Rock Bridge beats Hickman in season's opening match

COLUMBIA — The Rock Bridge boys golf team opened its 2014 season Tuesday with a dominant win over Hickman at L.A. Nickell Golf Course. The Bruins beat their cross-town rivals by 13 strokes, 150-163.

The Bruins, fourth-place finishers in last year's Class 4 State Championship, picked up right where they left off in 2013. All five Rock Bridge starters shot within four over par for the match, which was contested on the front nine holes only.

Bruins senior Jackson Dubinski and junior Matt Echelmeier led the match in scoring, both shooting a two-over-par. Rock Bridge's Jack Knoesel and Ben Humphreys, both juniors, finished three over par.

Hickman junior John Park led the Kewpies in scoring with a four-over. No other Hickman golfer shot below 40.

All five of Rock Bridge's starters on Tuesday competed in last year's state championship, held at the Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield. Knoesel finished tied for fourth in the state championship, while Echelmeier finished in a three-way tie for 15th.

Rock Bridge has appeared in the state championship every year since 2010. In 2011, its team dominated the field, taking the state title by 17 strokes.